Closure device



7 Nov. 19, 1957 P. WULC CLOSURE DEVICE Filed May 9, 1955 IN V EN TOR: PA U L- W ULC United numw.

The present invention relates generally to a novel and improved closure device which may be employed with purses, wallets, briefcases and the like.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a closure device which may be utilized in place of conventional clasps, zippers, buttons, or other types of heretofore-proposed closure devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure device which is quick and fool-proof in action and will not stick or bind in the manner of heretofore-proposed zipper type closures.

A further object is to provide a closure device which offers an attractive appearance and will complement the ornamental design of an object wherein it is incorporated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a closure device which is simple of design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a long and useful service life.

Yet another object is to provide a closure device which may be mass-produced from readily available materials and by simple mechanical processes whereby it may be sold at a comparatively low cost.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a preferred form of closure device embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of said closure device showing it in an open position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of said closure device showing it in a closed position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end view of said closure device;

Figure 5 is another fragmentary end view of said closure device; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of said closure device taken partly in vertical section.

Referring to the drawings, the preferred form of closure device C embodying the present invention is shown incorporated in a conventional ladys purse or handbag P. When so utilized, it serves as a means for closing the normally-open upper portion of the purse P. The closure device C includes a pair of rigid opening-defining members, generally designated 10 and 10, that are pivotally interconnected for movement towards and away from one another, rail elements 12 and 12' secured to each of the opening-defining members and a lock element, generally designated 14, which is slidably carried by the rail elements 12 and 12' for movement therealong.

More particularly, the opening-defining members 10 and 10' are secured to the periphery of the opening in the purse P by suitable means. Each of these members are of identical construction and in the particular em bodiment shown they are generally U-shaped when viewed from the side. Each of these opening-defining members include a pair of leg portions 16 and 18 that States Patent Office 2,813,3 Patented -*N 3 @957 steame rams, e v l ide' q e ofth'ebpemng defimtig er'ntiers' from -a 1 point adjacent the tree end of one of its leg portions 18 to a point disposed adjacent the center of the bridging portion 20 of the opening-defining member. As shown in Figure 6, the portion of each rail element adjacent the free end of the leg portion 18 is formed with a loop 24. Conveniently, this. end of the rail element may be inserted through a hole 26 formed in the opening-defining member and rigidly afiixed thereto as by welding or brazing as indicated at 28. The opposite end of each rail element may likewise be welded or brazed to the bridging portion 20 of its opening-defining member.

The lock element 14 is formed at one of its ends with a semi-circular aperture 30. This aperture 30 slidably receives the rail elements 12 and 12'. The lock element 14 also includes a tab portion 32 which is engaged by the thumb and forefinger of a user so as to effect movement of the lock element 14 along the length of the rail elements 12 and 12'.

As indicated in Figure 2, at such time as the openingdefining members 10 and 10' are spaced apart in an open position the lock element 14 will be disposed in the loop portions 24 of the rail elements 12 and 12. When the opening-defining members are brought together into an aligned abutting position so as to close the purse P, the rail elements 12 and 12' will likewise be arranged in an aligned and abutting position. As indicated in Figure 3, the user of the purse may then grasp the tab portion 32 of the lock element 14 between her thumb and forefinger and slide it along the rail elements 12 and 12 until it is disposed in its dotted outline position of this figure. At this time the lock element 14 will closely overlie the top of the bridging portions 20 of the openingdefining members, as indicated in Figure 1. In this position it will serve to restrain movement of the rail elements 12 and 12 apart from one another. Consequently, the bridging portions 20 of the opening-defining members 10 and 10' will likewise be restrained against movement away from one another. When it is desired to again open the purse P, the lock element 14 may be slid along the rail elements 12 and 12 to its position of Figure 2. It should be particularly observed that the width of the semi-circular aperture 30 in the lock element should be adequate to permit the rail elements to move apart as the opening-defining members are spread to their open position.

Preferably, the opening-defining members 10 and 10 and the rail elements 12 and 12' will be formed of metal. Other rigid materials, as for example a plastic, may also be employed in their fabrication. Although the closure device C has been shown and described hereinbefore in conjunction with a ladys purse it will be apparent that it may be employed as a closure device for various other articles.

Although there has been shown and described hereinbefore what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention it should be observed that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A closure device, comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped opening-defining members, each having a pair of leg portions that are connected by a bridging portion;

an apertured ear formed on the free end of each of said leg portions; pin means pivotally interconnecting said ears whereby said opening-defining members may be moved toward and away from one another; a pair of elongated rail elements, one end of each rail element being secured to one of said rail elements at a point above the free end of its leg portion, said rail elements defining a loop below said point of connection and then extending alongside their respective opening-defining member and parallel thereto to a point disposed adjacent the center of its bridging portion, said rail elements then being turned toward their respective bridging portions and secured thereto; and a lock element snugly slidably carried by said rail elements for'movernent therealong References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,068,232 Fish July 22, 1913 1,987,337 Hammerling Jan. 8, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 960,656 France Apr. 24, 1950 

